By Maduabuchi Nmerbeh/Kano
Kano state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Friday, pledged that the state government will cater for the welfare and education of the separated conjoined twins who were flown to Saudi Arabia in October 2023, for operation.
The elated Governor Yusuf pledged Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) when he received the conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina.
The Saudi Arabian government took responsibility for the medical expenses of the Nigerian conjoined twins who were successfully separated in a Saudi hospital.
Governor Yusuf, who beamed smiles of joy while receiving the twins, demonstrated his happiness as he expressly promised that their upkeep would become the responsibility of the Kano state government.
He expressed deep appreciation to the Saudi Arabian government for its kind gesture.
Governor Yusuf maintained that the state government would take responsibility for the girls’ welfare, including their education up to the university level.
The Consular General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Kano, Khalil Ahmed Al-Admawi, who was present at the airport to welcome the family, described the success of the surgery as a demonstration of the Kingdom’s commitment to humanitarian service.
“Saudi Arabia would continue to extend medical assistance and goodwill to countries in need through King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, especially Nigeria, with which it shares historic ties,” he said.
According to him, the separation of Hassana and Husaina marks the 65th successful operation under the Saudi Siamese Twins Separation Programme, which has provided care for 150 sets of conjoined twins from 25 countries over the past 35 years.
The twins, who arrived at MAKIA with their family, were welcomed to a warm reception by government officials, community members, and representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The life-saving operation was carried out at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh under the directives of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Hassana and Hussaina were flown to Saudi Arabia in October 2023, where a team of 38 specialists, including pediatric surgeons, neurosurgeons, and plastic surgeons, performed the delicate procedure, which lasted approximately 14 hours and was completed in nine stages.
Doctors discovered that the twins were joined at the lower abdomen, pelvis, and spine, sharing vital structures that made the case particularly complex.
After careful planning, a multi-disciplinary team of 38 consultants and specialists, including experts in pediatric surgery, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, urology, anaesthesia, and plastic surgery, embarked on the delicate procedure.
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